WORKSHOPS

• Welcome to our Saturday Workshop page where you will find full details of 2026 Workshops run by Penrith Art Club.
• All workshops are suitable for all levels and abilities. All workshops are held at the Haydock Centre, Penrith CA11 9EN (with free parking opposite) from 10 am to 4 pm between March and November 2026. 
• Please bring your own materials and lunch - refreshments are provided throughout the day. 
• Workshops are £38 for members (£48 non-members) except for Joan Prickett's which is £42 for members (£52 non-members) to include the cost of a model. Maximum of 12 participants.  ​
• Booking is now open for all courses. Please quote the workshop code (WS) on all communications.  For more booking information please email us.​

BOOK A WORKSHOP

21st March 2026 10 am to 4 pm - Les Darlow 

“The Living Landscape: Light, Energy, Emotion” with artist Les Darlow (booking ref: WS210326)

'We will complete usually two paintings, one a little controlled and with some detail and the second a little on the impressionistic side, but both painted with light, energy and movement.  We will explore how light affects elements in the landscape and how we interpret a photo and what we do to turn it into a masterpiece, looking at composition, value, and colour temperatures.'

Materials:- Watercolours. Masking tape
Arches or Saunders and Waterford cold press paper. A4 -A3 sized
Brushes no16, no 10 round and a rigger for detail
If anyone has pastels, watercolour pencils, or pastel pencils bring them.
Les will supply a table full of materials for participants to use - mainly pastels and inktense sticks

'I am an expressive artist inspiring others to paint with emotion, movement, and soul — using pastels, oils, watercolors, or acrylics.  A First Ambassador for Canson UK,Unison Pastels Ambassador, and Associate Member of the Pastel Society of America, I bring a love of light, weather, and landscapes into every piece. Trained as a scientific illustrator and classical pianist, I combine precision with feeling, capturing the ever-changing beauty of skies, storms, and natural light. My work can be slightly abstract, focusing on composition, balance, and emotion, while my workshops empower artists to paint boldly and freely.'

You can find Les at: https://www.lesdarlow.com/   and https://www.facebook.com/lesdarlowart/

18th April 2026 10 am to 4 pm - Graham Twyford

'Sunlight Over Sprinkling Tarn'  with artist Graham Twyford (booking ref: WS180426)

Participants will follow a demonstration in short stages to produce a painting of this classic Lake District glacial tarn.  There will be a clear demonstration of the use of an underpainting and top layers to achieve varied atmospheric and textural effects.  Techniques for natural depiction of sunlight will be shown and well founded methods for painting rock, water and sky.  Guidance will be given to enable acrylics to perform in similar manner to oils, enabling blending and subtle manipulation.  We will be exploring how tones and colour are used create depth and light in painting.  This course is suitable for all levels of experience.

Materials:- Just a guide nothing mandatory.  The demonstration will be in acrylic on canvas. The group should use acrylic though oils may be used as well.
A rule and pencil may be useful for layout but no preliminary work required just a blank canvas.
Paints: Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Raw Umber, Cobalt Blue, Viridian, Black. Alternative colours can be brought and any others they like to use. The paint doesn't have to be Artist's quality.
Brushes: a few flats, filberts and rounds (bristle or synthetic) and a small sable or synthetic round (no. 0 or 1 or 2 for any highlights or details)
Graham will bring plenty of his brushes so people can try them out if they are not sure about brushes.
Supports: For this it will be best to use a stretched canvas or canvas panel (ready primed for acrylics or oil are fine) - paper is a bit flimsy for this (paper is of course a great support for acrylic or oil but not as good for this approach)
Graham will work at 16 x 20inch approx - the group can work the same size or other sizes e.g. 12 x 16inch is good but don't go much smaller.
Mediums: For acrylics Graham will use gloss medium and slow drying medium. If participants have this it will help though a few bottles can be shared around
For oils 'Liquin' is very good as well as a solvent of choice (low odour preferable).
An easel, painting knife and palette are useful. Plenty of rags or kitchen roll. Graham will bring a hair dryer - you may like your own but not essential.

One of the things Graham will show is how to make the acrylic work like oils for a slow drying effect - great for those atmospheric effects and soft edges. 
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A little bit about Graham Twyford - Graham trained at Goldsmith's College London University graduating in Fine Art.
He has exhibited at the Royal Academy, Royal Institute (oil painters) and regularly at Lake Artists Society to which he was elected in the mid 1980's.  His main output is Landscape painting though he has produced a number of designs and illustrations which are now published world wide.  Graham's works have been published by Wedgwood, Coalport, Compton and Woodhouse, Danbury Mint and numerous other companies.  Recently he has produced a series of popular paintings and reproductions exploring the atmospheric effects of light in various towns and cities in the north of England.  Graham works in most painting and graphic mediums, with oil painting forming the major part of his output.

You can find Graham on:
 Website: https://www.grahamtwyford.com/      e-mail [email protected]
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9th May 2026 10 am to 4 pm - Joan Prickett

Informal People - Sketching with artist Joan Prickett (booking ref : WS090526)

This workshop, suitable for all levels and abilities, can be described as a delightful gym workout for the artistic brain. We are fortunate in our model for the day - a young guitar-playing musician.Throughout the workshop a series of closely timed exercises focus on drawing the young man as he plays his guitar. The exercises are designed to enable honing, or developing, readily transferable drawing skills such as rapid observational responses and an economical shorthand excluding non-essential details.

‘But I don’t like to paint/can’t draw people…’ Joan makes the case for artists to include un-posed people sketching in their practice regardless of their usual choice of artistic subject matter or their perception of their capability as artists of the human form.

Joan will facilitate proceedings and be on hand with help and guidance as required. She will bring a selection of examples of her un-posed people sketching from various travels or musical events and some examples of finished oil paintings based entirely on very rapid, observational, people-sketches.

During breaks there will also be an opportunity to browse through a selection of her travel and working sketchbooks.

Essential Materials: A3 & A4 cartridge pads; a biro or other drawing pen.
Helpful but not essential: Rectangular conte crayons or pastels.
Your choice entirely: A range of pencils; pastels; pens; charcoal; A2 cartridge pad.  Some items may be available to try out.

A latecomer to a career in art, Joan’s formal art education began in 2011 with a course 'Life Painting in Oils' at Slade School of Art. Sales of work then funded two years at Leith School of Art where she was awarded the school's Figurative Painting Prize. Earlier careers focused intensely on people (midwifery, teaching, therapy) and people continue to be a major focus today. She expresses portraits, life work and un-posed studies in oils or mixes of ink and paint. Her approach attempts to create an engaging visual image expressing what she feels and experiences of the subject in addition to recording what she sees.  In recent years Joan’s work has been shortlisted for The New Light Art Prize, Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize, Society of Women Artists' Prize and Jackson's Painting Prize. She was elected as a member of Lake Artists Society in 2023.

joanprickett.co.uk.  You are welcome to visit her home studio and gallery in Blindcrake near Cockermouth. Contact [email protected] if planning a visit to the gallery.

27th June 2026 10 am to 4 pm - John Harrison

Pen and wash: so much more than 'colouring in' with artist John Harrison (booking ref: WS270626)

Here’s an opportunity to try your hand at “pen and wash” – the creation of an ink drawing, which is then tinted with watercolour – with Yorkshire artist John Harrison.  John will start the day with a brief overview of his particular style of line and wash, and the importance he places on drawing and sketching. This will be followed by a group project where you'll all be working from the same reference photograph (which will be provided) utilising the techniques described by John, who will offer advice, hints and tips throughout the day.  

Depending on the speed at which you’re happiest working , there will be an opportunity to start (or even complete) a second piece, again choosing from a further selection of reference photos supplied by John, and at the end of the workshop, there will be a short informal assessment and review session: participation in this is completely voluntary, as John is aware that not everyone is comfortable in this setting.

Materials: John will provide all necessary reference material for the paintings - you will just need your usual painting equipment: Watercolour paints, Brushes ( I find that round brushes in sizes 8,10,12 are best), Soft (2B) pencil, a fineline pen with waterproof  ink (don't worry if you can't easily get this - John will have some of these for purchase on the day, as this pen is intrinsic in my style of line and wash -£3 each )
Good quality watercolour paper or pad ( at least 300g with a rough finish).  John will have some sheets of the Saunders Waterford 300g rough 100%cotton for purchase, too if needed: I simply can't stress enough just how important it is to use good quality paper, otherwise you will be disappointed with the results: even top quality watercolour paints will perform poorly on inferior paper, but lesser paints will still produce pleasing work when they’re used on good paper. Sheets of Saunders waterford ( Quarter Imperial-15" x 11") will be £3 each.

John's favoured subject matter features built structures in the wider landscape, exploring the contrast between the man-made and the natural. Largely self-taught, he doesn’t consider himself a painter, but uses the unpredictable yet exciting medium of watercolour to highlight his drawings. He runs many workshops and classes, details of which are posted on his website. His work is in many private collections both in the UK and internationally, he undertakes commissions both private and corporate and recently appeared on the Channel 5 revival of Watercolour Challenge.
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You can find John on: www.drawninyorkshire.com and the best place to see his work is on Instagram- just search my name @johnharrison.  Email  [email protected].

12th September 2026 10 am to 4 pm - Martin Evans

Loose Landscapes - Expressive Landscape Painting with Martin Evans (booking ref: WS120926)

'In the morning I will introduce myself and my work. We will then discuss some basic elements of composition and colour and how I use acrylic paint. This will be combined with some short exercises designed to encourage a loose style of painting. After lunch we will produce final canvas landscape paintings. I will provide images to work from, but if participants would like to bring their own reference images that is absolutely fine.'
This workshop is suitable for all levels and abilities.

Materials: Acrylic paint (good size tubes or pots, black white and primary colours as a minimum)
variety of brushes (not too small)
palette (we can use cardboard for this if we need too)
water pot
one or two canvases (10" x 8", 11" x 14" approx)
 artin will provide paper, reference images, some extra brushes to try, charcoal, wipes, masking tape and any other little bits and pieces we might need for the exercises.

Martin Evans lives and works in Carlisle, Cumbria and studied Graphic Design at Cumbria Institute of the Arts where he developed his eye for colour and composition. A self-taught painter and mural artist, it is the pure joy of painting and expression that drives his process. Cumbria has some of the most spectacular landscapes in the UK, and he is constantly inspired by this subject matter. Martin’s work has been exhibited in Cumbria with Proseed, StArt, CCA and EVAN, while he has also worked with major charities and organisations such as Tullie Museum & Art Gallery, Prism Arts & Blank Wall Assassins. More widely he has won the Society of Scottish Artists Prize at the 'Big Art Show' 2024, been selected for the prestigious 2020 and 2023 Discerning Eye Exhibitions at the Mall Galleries London, long listed for the 2022 and 2023 Jacksons Painting Prize and exhibited at the 2024 Venice Biennale with the Proseed collective. His work can currently be seen at the Old Courthouse Gallery in Ambleside.

You can find Martin Evans on:
Website:http://www.martinevansart.com                Email:[email protected]

17th October 2026 10 am to 4 pm - Jason Skills​

‘Imaginative Tree Painting' with artist Jason Skill (booking ref: WS171026)

Jason will be showing you imaginative ways to illustrate trees and foliage, building on his own
practice from depicting trees in a traditional and realistic style through to trees with a playful and
other wordly nature. The workshop will primarily use watercolour techniques but can also be
developed through a mixed media approach as the participants wish. Explore using rubber
stamps, stickers, stencils and a whole host of exciting new materials and methods to create
semi realistic tree images with a magical other worldly feel. If you are looking for a playful
enjoyable way to paint, that moves away from strictly copying images, this is the workshop for
you. This course is suitable for all levels of experience.

Materials:Although the workshop will look primarily at working with watercolour, participants could use
gouache or inks and perhaps even watercolour pencils. You are encouraged to find any rubber
stamps if you already have them and perhaps buy some star, heart and red spot stickers if you
see them. They are usually about 99p a strip. If you have a dog... put a few poo bags in your kit
- these are great painting tools [ minus poo]! You will also need plenty of watercolour paper and
your usual brushes, pencils etc.

A little bit about Jason Skill:
Jason has been teaching painting and drawing to adults for over 30 years. Considered an expert
in watercolour by many, he is also highly adept in drawing with both pencil and inks. Jason has
also taught courses in acrylics, oils, gouache, and mixed media. As a passionate experimenter
with materials and techniques he has explored traditional and abstract picture making.
​
You can find Jason on:
www.jasonskill.com and his video teaching site www.studio.jasonskill.com

14th November 2026 10 am to 4 pm - Ruth Clayton

‘Capturing the energy of water'  with artist Ruth Clayton (booking ref: WS141126)

‘Together, during the day, we’ll paint, step-by-step, a watercolour capturing the power and energy of the ocean.  We will start by completing a planning sheet which will include the colour palette and any watercolour techniques that we will be using.  This planning sheet is an important stage to ensure a confident and successful watercolour painting. I look forward to working with you all.'  This workshop is suitable for all levels and abilities.

Materials: Watercolour tubes, not pans of Ultramarine blue, cerulean blue, burnt sienna, cadmium yellow, plus a tube of white gouache
Paint palette with deep wells (we’ll be using lots of paint)
Jam jar
Good quality round watercolour brushes. I use synthetic sizes 12, 6, 2.
Good A3 watercolour paper- stretched on a board or in a watercolour block.
(This is important as I use a lot of water and your paper will cockle. I have a video of how to stretch paper on my YouTube channel : Ruth Clayton Artist)
Table salt
Kitchen roll
Pencil
A white soft pastel stick

'Hi, I'm Ruth Clayton, and I’m passionate about the sea. Not a calm sea, however, but the energy of the sea with its movement and reaction to light.
I completed an illustration degree at Leeds Metropolitan University in 1986. However, my painting style has changed and developed greatly over the years.  After gaining my degree, I completed a teaching qualification at Manchester University the following year.
Since then, I have spent time as an art teacher working in high schools and tertiary Colleges and now share an art studio with my partner Stuart Gray at Farfield Mill in Sedbergh, Cumbria, where I work, teach, and sell my paintings.  I mainly specialise in watercolour with the addition of gouache, inks, and pastel.  
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You can find me on:
YouTube: @RuthClaytonArtist
Instagram: ruthclayton.artist                                      Facebook:ruthclayton.artist
Website:www.ruthclaytonartist.com                          Email:[email protected]